ADAC F4

Back in the ADAC Formula 4 paddock, the 5th round of the championship saw the grid return to Hockenheim, as the Formula 1 support event in the place of the more senior Formula 2 & GP3 series. With a buzz in the air, Olli certainly made the most of the opportunity to showcase his young talent.

In a switch from the sun-soaked practice sessions, Olli (Caldwell) took to the track for the first of two qualifying sessions on Saturday morning, just as the rain began to set in. After making the early switch to wet tyres, the Prema driver tackled the damp and greasy circuit to lock in a strong 5th place on the grid for race one. But with the track drying for the second session, the grid battled to be the final one to set a lap on the improving conditions. Unfortunately a yellow flag cut short Olli’s chances and lined him up in 8th for the final race.

With experience at the German track on his side, Olli geared up to shoot for a podium when Race One got underway on Saturday afternoon. Launching off the line, the young driver gave a great fight as the lights went out. But with limited room in the battle, he was forced to escape off the track briefly, undeterred, he set his sights on catching the leaders as the race ran on. But despite executing some superb overtakes to run in fourth, after unfortunate contact with Schumacher, Olli was forced to retire with damage to his car.

Determined to make up for lost ground, Olli focussed on putting the best of his talent into action for Race Two, in front of electric crowds in the grandstands. Making up two places off the line, Olli found himself right in the thick of the action in P6, as the tight pack fought through the opening laps. With his teammates going wheel-to-wheel at the hairpin, Olli held his nerve and seized his opportunity, to find his way up into P2. Following the appearance of the safety car, the Brit was keen to get the better of leader Zendali at the restart. But with his teammate Fittipaldi hot on his heels, Olli turned his attention to expertly hold off all advances until the chequered flag. With the acute ability to perform under pressure, the Prema driver gave a sensational performance throughout the action-packed race, to impress in front of sponsors and team bosses alike. Storming from 8th to 2nd, appearing on the Formula 1 podium certainly served as a highlight for the young racer’s career.

Speaking of Olli’s achievement, Harry Soden, Director of Infinity Sports Management commented:

“After a tough race on Saturday, Olli bounced back with a great drive on Sunday to finish P2 from 8th on the grid, some of his overtakes were amazing, I’m really pleased for him. To do it on an F1 race weekend in front of all of those people makes it really special”

Moving to Imola, Olli returns to contest his dual campaign with round five of the Italian F4 Championship this weekend.

RENAULT EUROCUP

After almost two months break, we returned to the Formula Renault paddock at the Red Bull Ring, where Max, Logan and Frank were raring to get back out on track for the first part of another double-header.

A far cry from the narrow streets of Monaco back in May, the picturesque setting of the Red Bull Ring set within the Styrian Hills always offers up some exciting racing. With a relatively short lap, pieced together with uphill climbs and tight turns, the circuit leaves very little room for error. Whilst changeable weather throughout the weekend, served another interesting twist to the field of young racers.

With a wet track for qualifying on Saturday morning, split into 2 groups, the field carved a dry line through the ribbon of tarmac as they vied for track position for Race 1. In a tight first group, Logan struggled slightly to match the pace of his rivals. With Verschoor’s time to beat, Max joined the session in the second group, with blistering pace he shot to claim pole position. Whilst Logan and Frank lined up on row 4 and 9 respectively, eager to make up ground.

Managing his start perfectly, Max powered off the line, maintaining his lead ahead of Verschoor and Columbo as the pack launched into Turn 1. But in a frantic midfield battle, Logan found himself caught up in a clash that saw his charge cut short before the race truly got underway. Once the four stricken cars were recovered, with clouds threatening overhead, Max hit the pedal to the metal for the safety car restart, easing his way ahead of the pack once more. It wasn’t long at all before the storm clouds made their presence known, with lightning striking through the hills and rain making conditions treacherous, the red flag was eventually called just short of race distance. Taking the lead at the red flag, Max celebrated another sensational lights to flag victory in Formula Renault and a healthy points haul for his championship campaign.

Lining up on the grid on Sunday morning, the guys were poised for a thrilling battle once more. After a tricky qualifying session, which saw many drivers caught out by the conditions and subsequent yellow flags. It was a tough blow for Logan who was on course to set pole position for the race, however a strong start saw him make up 2 positions in the opening lap. Despite a race-long fight for position, the American driver was forced to retire just 2 laps short of the flag. Whilst Frank battled hard to find himself in 10th when the chequered flag fell. Right in the thick of the action once more, Max capitalised on a strong grid position to finish in second, adding another podium to his promising tally.

Speaking on a rollercoaster weekend in Austria, Gary Catt comments:

“It was a mixed weekend for the drivers in Renault Eurocup. Max had a great weekend with a win and a 2nd in both the races and it’s bought him right into contention in the title race again.

However, for Logan it was another story. A yellow flag at the last corner during qualifying, when he was on a lap that would’ve comfortably given him pole meant he had to abort that lap and only put him P4 in the group. Crashes in both races ensured it was a weekend to forget.

Frank impressed again and got into the top 10 in race two. For all the drivers we go again this weekend, where we will be hoping to build on the results from Red Bull Ring.”

In a weekend of ups and downs for our guys, we look ahead to chasing more great results as head to the historic Spa-Francorchamps in a few days time.  

LOOKING AHEAD

From single-seaters to GT racing, an action-packed weekend awaits for Infinity, with drivers taking to the track across Europe.

Back at the wheel of his Aston Martin V12 Vantage, Charlie Eastwood teams up with TF Sport to contest the Blancpain 24 Hours of Spa. With a 2nd place result in the 24 hours of Nurburgring earlier this year, we’re sure Charlie and the team will put in another strong performance.

Supporting the main event at Spa, we join the Renault Eurocup and FIA F3 paddocks, as the single-seater drivers take on the mighty track.

It’s sure to be an exciting weekend out in Hungary, where David Beckmann makes his team debut with Trident in GP3, following a pole position at the Red Bull Ring, we’re sure the results will continue with this fresh new partnership. We’ll also be keeping our eyes on Infinity Alumni George Russell, as he shoots to extend his championship lead in Formula 2.

Whilst back in Britain, Snetterton sees the latest round of British F4 & Clio Cup, where the guys will be back chasing points and podiums in front of bumper crowds.